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Manufactured exports show slight growth
04/07/2007
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather today reiterated the Scottish government's commitment to give Scotland "a competitive edge" after statistics showed slight growth in the country's manufactured exports.
Commenting on the Scottish Manufactured Exports Estimates for the first quarter of 2007, published today, Mr Mather said:
"The modest growth in manufactured exports since 2004 should not hide the fact that the Scottish economy is underperforming.
"There are some positive signs in the latest figures. Some of the smaller exporting sectors such as textiles, have grown strongly over the first quarter of 2007 and other industries, in particular metal products, have also shown strong growth over the year. However, this government recognises that we must do more to give Scotland a competitive edge.
"While we have to accept that emerging markets in the Far East and Eastern Europe will provide ever tougher competition, there is far more we can and will do to improve Scottish economic performance.
"Our overaraching aim is increased and sustainable economic growth. We must aspire to the kind of performance we see in countries such as Ireland, Norway and Iceland - the arc of prosperity that surround us.
"Policies such as reducing and removing business rates, refocusing and reforming the Enterprise Networks and creating new, vocational opportunities for young people will help us achieve this goal.
"Statistics like these make me even more determined to push ahead with this agenda and end years of underperformance."